Woodford to Glenbrook

3 Days

29.6 km One way

731 m

Hard track

This is a leisurely three day walk which heads along the ridges from Woodford down to Glenbrook. Features of this walk include the many great views, lush bushland, and Glenbrook Creek with Jellybean Pools. A great walk with much to offer those looking for a relaxing few days of walking.

Woodford

Woodford is situated along the Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains. Woodford boasts one of the Blue Mountains oldest buildings, with the Woodford Academy dating back to 1833 . Access to the academy is made easy by Woodford train station and other public transport connections. Woodford is also the start of the popular Woodford to Glenbrook mountain bike which follows the Oaks Fire trail. Woodford station offers a public telephone and toilets. There are no commercial facilities in the area.

(0km) Woodford Station → Int. Oaks Firetrail and Old Bathurst Rd

730 m

15 mins

22m

-39m

Easy track

From the station, this walk heads down the stairs, off the station and turns left under the station. It then continues up to Railway Parade, opposite a shelter with a bench seat. The walk heads up Railway Pde, keeping the railway tracks to the left. The road tends right then the walk turns right onto The Appian Way. The walk follows The Appian Way, which turns into Parker St. (If you cross over a bridge, you have gone the wrong way.) The walk leads along Parker St to Taylor St, where it turns left and continues down the hill to the intersection with The Oaks Fire Trail. This is signposted at the clearing on the right.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the road, the walk heads to the gate and crosses over it. (On the lower side of the gate is a tap which provides drinking water.) From the gate and tap, the walk heads down the hill, passing a broken interpretative sign on the left, and continues to wind and undulate for quite some time. The trail passes a mound in a junction. From the mound, the trail continues to wind and undulate, turning right and steeply downhill twice, before passing a small dam (just to the left). The walk winds, with the hillside higher on the right than left, before leading up a steep slope to a small clearing with a large step.

(4.21km) Int. Oaks Firetrail and cliff lookout Trk → Cliff lookout

100 m

3 mins

5m

-18m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the management trail, with the small depression (or waterhole) on the left, surrounded by reeds. The track winds up the hill, following the gap in the vegetation, leading to a rock shelf with a view. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Cliff Lookout

Cliff lookout, an unofficially-named, informal view point, is a dramatic cliff edge perched just above the trees. The cliff is unfenced. The view across the valley provides a pleasant panorama.

Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill in a southerly direction and tends right. At the bottom of the hill, the trail winds left and then up a hill to the right, onto a plateau with clearer, lower vegetation. The management trail here is also lined by large rocks, which look as though they could have been placed there. The trail comes off the hill and heads across a saddle to a large management trail intersection (on the left). Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads south up the hill, passing a blue marker sign soon after leaving the intersection. The track then continues up onto the ridge top, then follows the high ground for some time. The track along the ridgeline is surrounded by rocky surfaces and lower vegetation which lends views of the surrounding valleys. The track begins to descend after winding over and around the ridgeline for some time. As the track descends, it passes a rock shelf to the right of the track, which has good views over the valley. The track continues down the hill into a saddle with an intersection with a gate, to the left.Continue straight: From the intersection in the saddle the track heads up the hill for a short time. The track climbs up onto a plateau where the track is bordered by rocky surfaces and low scrub across the ridge line. This plateau is then left as the track descends slightly as the track winds along the hillside for some time to wind right, coming quickly to the intersection.

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill, almost immediately coming to a split in the track, with both tracks heading down the hill.

Wheel Gully

Wheel Gully has a management trail which loops down to a large dam. It is a nice shady place to stop for a bite to eat along the Oaks Fire Trail. This site is also used as an informal campsite with no facilities. The water in the dam is not suitable for drinking, nor is it reliable. Carry enough water.

End of day 1

This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, the walk heads in a southerly direction away from the turn in the trail. The walk soon passes a large clearing on the right and begins the slow descent that winds down the hill. The trail begins to tend left as it swings south-east, passing a few smaller clearings with demolished trees in them. This continues along the Oaks Fire Trail to a blue sign, which is marked ‘Woodford 15km’ on the other side.Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads down a slight slope. The trail drops down some steeper sections as the trail generally descends at a gentle gradient, winding slightly as it leads down to a gate and interpretative sign before an intersection.Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads east, directly away from the gate and sign to the bend in the management trail.Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads away from both the ’40’ sign and the gate, heading east down the management trail. The walk soon comes to the intersection, signposted ‘Red Hands Cave’.Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads in an easterly direction along the management trail, tending left around to the Oaks Picnic Area on the left and the car park on the right.

The Oaks Picnic Area

The Oaks Picnic Area, is an established picnic area with shelter, bench seats and a pit toilet. The picnic area also boasts a water tank and adequate parking. It is a quiet area, just off the road, making it a fantastic spot for a rendezvous with family and friends after a long walk or ride.

(18.32km) The Oaks Picnic Area → Int. Oaks Picnic Area Trk and Oaks single Trk

70 m

1 mins

2m

0m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the picnic area, the walk heads past the water tank, then towards the green-roofed toilet in the bush. The track passes the toilet (on the right) before coming to the fire trail.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Glenbrook’ sign down the trail. The trail narrows quickly and winds east for some time, through the thick green heath and burnt trees. The track splits at one point and connects again a few metres on, before continuing to the signposted intersection where the track opens up in a clearing.

(20.65km) 5km to Glenbrook Sign → The Ironbark Picnic Area

2.7 km

46 mins

8m

-52m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the clear track to the east, passing the blue ‘Shared use’ sign. The track meanders through the bush for some time before passing a few short tracks on the right. This walk stays on the main cycleway until passing between two white gum trees and coming to an intersection with the Ironbark access track on the right, marked with another blue ‘shared use’ sign.Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the narrower track east towards the road. The track opens up at the car park, and the walk crosses the road to the Ironbark picnic area.

Ironbark Picnic Area

Ironbark Picnic Area is a basic picnic area on the Oaks Fire Trail, about 450m south of Euroka Rd. The picnic area has a low bench that acts as both a table and seat, and there is also a wood-fired barbecue provided. The picnic area is at the top of a gated management trail, which leads down to campsites at Euroka. There are plenty of car parking spaces provided and it is a fairly popular starting point for people cycling the Oaks Cycleway.

(23.38km) The Ironbark Picnic Area → Top of Darug campsite car park

1.6 km

30 mins

8m

-98m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the Ironbark Picnic Area, this walk follows the management trail south east by first stepping over the locked gate (pole). The wide trail then gently leads downhill. As the hill steepens a bit, the track becomes narrower. As the track approaches Euroka, there are a few sharp bends and the walk leads to the top of Nioka. The campsite comes into view, and the walk continues down the clear track, now with the camp ground on the right. The track then passes a toilet and continues down around the locked gate to the dirt road intersection just below Nioka campsite.Veer left: From the dirt road just below the signposted ‘Nioka’ campsite, this walk follows the main road, initially keeping the campsite to the left. The walk heads across a small, bridged creek crossing and up to the intersection. At the intersection, there are some information signs about the area (on the right).Continue straight: From the signposts, the walk follows the ‘Daruk’

arrow along the flat dirt road, keeping the hill up to the left. After passing the garbage bins, the trail crosses a small creek and comes to an intersection with a bush track on the left, just before the signposted ‘Darug’ campsite.

Euroka Campground – Darug

The Darug (sometimes labeled Daruk) campsite is found the Euroka Clearing, in the Glenbrook region of the Blue Mountains National Park. There are about 20 camping spaces to choose from in this area. Tap water is available at the park entrance. The campsite has a wheelchair-accessible toilet (access over grassy terrain) and a few metal fireplaces. The campsite is surrounded by large gum trees and is right at the base of a steep hill to the north.

End of day 2

This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 2, happy camping.

Hard track

Turn left: From between the small creek crossing and the ‘Darug’ campsite, the walk follows the bush track up the hill, initially keeping Darug to the right. There are two tracks at time of writing, nearly parallel and heading to the same place. The track becomes steep and works its way up the steep rocky hill. At the top of this climb, the walk follows the track to the right and then the clear track meanders through the scrub. The track soon comes to an intersection with the signposted ‘Portal waterhole’ track (which heads off to the right).Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads north, following neither of the arrows on the sign. The track soon comes to Mount Portal Trail, just next to the intersection with Euroka Road.Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘The Causeway’ sign, along the bush track. The track tends right into the low grassy bush. As the track continues down the hill, the grass gives way to wattle bush covering the gully. The track leads down many stairs then crosses a creek or two before winding along the hillside. The track then continues down into the gully to pass a fading track, on the left, then winds through to a hairpin corner on the road, marked by a ‘Euroka Track’ sign (pointing back the way you came).

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the steep road to the causeway.Veer right: From the southern side of the causeway, the walk heads across the causeway to the road, next to the fenced, paved area. The causeway may be impassable after rain.

Glenbrook causeway

Glenbrook causeway is the only way for vehicles to cross Glenbrook Creek. It is a concrete road, with a raised gutter for pedestrians to cross the creek. The causeway is subject to flooding. Glenbrook causeway is a crossing point for many of the popular walks throughout the Glenbrook Valley area.

(27.48km) Eastern side of Causeway → Jelly Bean Pool

320 m

6 mins

5m

-6m

Hard track

Turn right: From the causeway, the walk heads through the blocked-off paved area, keeping the water on the right. The walk heads alongside the creek (the track is not very clear at this point) but winds around and over the large rocks beside the main creek (This creek does become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain). The soon the creek widens and turns into a large pool, where the track leads around the rocky outcrop to a metal staircase, above Jellybean Pool.

Jellybean Pool

Jellybean Pool is a large pool in Glenbrook Creek, just south of the weir. The pool has a few sandy beaches, rock platforms and is surrounded by cliffs. Jumping and diving is not a good idea, and is not permitted. This is a popular spot for locals to swim. Swimming can be dangerous – the creek is especially dangerous after rain. Check with rangers before heading in.

(27.79km) Jelly Bean Pool → Glenbrook Information Centre car park

500 m

13 mins

88m

-3m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the bottom of the metal stairs, the walk heads up the stairs away from Jellybean Pool. The track heads under the rocks then turns left up to a set of bins, at the bottom of the car park.Continue straight: From the bins, the walk heads up to the top of the car park to the sealed road. The walk soon turns right, up the stairs and into the bush. The walk heads up many stairs, crossing the road twice along the way. The track winds around a rocky outcrop and enters a small grassed area with bench seats. The walk continues past these seats to the bottom of the car park, at the front of the Glenbrook Information Centre.

NPWS Glenbrook Information Centre

The NPWS information centre and car park are found just before the ‘toll both’ on Bruce Road. You will find tap water, toilets, garbage bins and information signs about the region. A great spot to chat to staff and get updates on the conditions in the park.

(28.29km) Glenbrook Information Centre car park → Glenbrook Station

1.3 km

23 mins

35m

-13m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the car park, the walk joins the road and heads up the hill. The walk continues along the road, Bruce Rd, over a bridge and winds for some time. The walk follows the footpath on the left of the road, continuing as Bruce Rd becomes Burfitt Pde. The walk passes Euroka Rd on the right and soon comes to Glenbrook Station on the left.

Glenbrook

Glenbrook is situated on the Great Western Highway and is a tourist hub for the lower Blue Mountains, with the Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centre located here. Glenbrook has quite a bustling little town centre with a number of cafes, bakeries and shops to explore. Prior to 1879, Glenbrook had changed its name numerous times, known at various times as Watertank, Wascoe Siding and Brookdale before being given its current name by Sir John Jamieson. Glenbrook is a gateway into the Blue Mountains National Park and is also the end point of the Woodford-Glenbrook mountain bike trail, along the Oaks Fire Trail. More info.

Maps for the Woodford to Glenbrook walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Woodford to Glenbrook bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Woodford to Glenbrook

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

29.6 km

Time

3 Days

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Minimal directional signs (4/6)

Experience Required

Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

14km of this walk has short steep hills and another 6km is very steep. Whilst another 6km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 3km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

16km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 11km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 2.5km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 320m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

21km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 4.5km is clearly signposted. The remaining (4.3km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

27km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 1.9km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (320m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 29km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 330m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 25km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 4.1km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Woodford to Glenbrook walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bmnp-wtg
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.